Lewis Cutrer was the Mayor of Houston from 1957 to 1963. He defeated long-time mayor Roy Hofheinz and was succeeded by Louis Welch in 1963. In this interview Mr. Cutrer discusses desegregation, community relations, and disagreements with Welch over...

After coming out of the Navy in 1939, Earl Maughmer signed up for police training. At that time the Police department was an active force in political campaigns. He played a prominent part in the formation of the Houston Police Officers'...

The Socialist Workers Party was formed as an offshoot of the Communist Party in 1928. Dan Fein discusses the party’s presence and activities in Houston in the 1970s, including the Young Socialists Alliance on the University of Houston campus, and...

Ann Lower was the campaign manager for Representative Robert C. Eckhardt between the years of 1976-1980. At the time of this interview, Eckhardt was running for the United States Congress representing Texas's 8th congressional district for the...

Hispanic American entrepreneur, restaurateur, and community activist, examines her involvement with the Hispanic community in Houston, and talks about race relations in the 1960s and 1970s, and about her restaurant business.

In this interview, Mary Jane Blackburn discusses how she was selected as the campaign manager for Ron Paul. She discussed the 1974 campaign in which Paul ran for Congress. Blackburn details Paul's campaign strategy and his views on government. She...

Eleanor Tinsley talks about her years as president of the board of the Houston Independent School District, and as member of the city council.
She was involved in the school integration movement and was instrumental in the creation of the Houston...

Statesman James Baker III examines his political career. He served as the 10th White House Chief of Staff during President Ronald Regan administration, and the 16th White House Chief of Staff during George H.W. Bush administration. He also served...

In this oral history, Johnny Goyan describes how he got interested in politics and his election to the Houston City Council. Goyan served under three Houston mayors -- Lewis Cutrer, Louie Welch and Fred Hofheinz -- and shares his perspectives on...

Robert Eckels describes his experiences as former Harris County judge. He discusses politics in Harris county and in the city of Houston, as well as his involvement in handling the influx of the evacuees from New Orleans during hurricane Katrina,...

Mayor Bill White Collection;Houston Oral History Project : a great city voices its past.

The 41st president of the United States from 1989-1993, George H. W. Bush at age 18 became the youngest aviator in U.S. Navy, and served in World War II till the end. His first connection with Texas, was serving on the San Jacinto during World War...